Answer :
To determine which list of metric prefixes goes from largest to smallest, let's first recall the meanings of the prefixes:
- kilo- means one thousand (10^3).
- deci- means one-tenth (10^-1).
- centi- means one-hundredth (10^-2).
- milli- means one-thousandth (10^-3).
Now, let's evaluate each option:
Option A: kilo-, centi-, deci-, milli-
- The order is incorrect because centi- (10^-2) should come after deci- (10^-1).
Option B: kilo-, deci-, centi-, milli-
- This order is correct: starting from the largest kilo- (10^3), followed by deci- (10^-1), centi- (10^-2), and ending with the smallest, milli- (10^-3).
Option C: milli-, centi-, deci-, kilo-
- This order is in reverse from smallest to largest, which is incorrect for our needs.
Option D: centi-, kilo-, milli-, deci-
- This order incorrectly places centi- and kilo- relative to each other and others.
Option E: deci-, milli-, centi-, kilo-
- This order does not reflect the correct decreasing size from largest to smallest.
The correct order from largest to smallest is found in option B: kilo-, deci-, centi-, milli-.
- kilo- means one thousand (10^3).
- deci- means one-tenth (10^-1).
- centi- means one-hundredth (10^-2).
- milli- means one-thousandth (10^-3).
Now, let's evaluate each option:
Option A: kilo-, centi-, deci-, milli-
- The order is incorrect because centi- (10^-2) should come after deci- (10^-1).
Option B: kilo-, deci-, centi-, milli-
- This order is correct: starting from the largest kilo- (10^3), followed by deci- (10^-1), centi- (10^-2), and ending with the smallest, milli- (10^-3).
Option C: milli-, centi-, deci-, kilo-
- This order is in reverse from smallest to largest, which is incorrect for our needs.
Option D: centi-, kilo-, milli-, deci-
- This order incorrectly places centi- and kilo- relative to each other and others.
Option E: deci-, milli-, centi-, kilo-
- This order does not reflect the correct decreasing size from largest to smallest.
The correct order from largest to smallest is found in option B: kilo-, deci-, centi-, milli-.
